Ice-cream-can clamp



April 7, 1931. M. sELlG ICE-CREAM CAN CLAMP Filed May a, 1929 FIG. 4.

ATTORN EYS.

Patented Apr. 7, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MILTON SELIG, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO I. FISCHMAN SONS, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION ICECREAM-CAN CLAMP Application led May 8,

This invention relates to improvements in means to prevent the rotation of circular containers, such as ice-cream cans, to facilitate the expeditious removal of contents therefrom.

The primary object of this invention is the provision of a relatively compact and efficient clamp adapted to he placed upon a plurality of circular-shaped ice-cream cans or other containers, for the purpose of preventing them from rotation in relation to each other.

In modern types of fountains, or cooler boxes, it is found convenient to place a plurality of ice-cream cans side by side. Inasmuch as these cans, of standard construction, are hollow and cylindrical in form, there is always the annoyance and consequent slowing up of service, due to the fact that the can revolves when theice-cream dispenser scoops the contents therefrom. To prevent this, there has been provided a relatively simple and convenient type of clamp, which may quickly be attached to a pair of ice-cream cans or containers of the standard form, at the tops thereof, without the adjustment of screws and other parts, which will hold the cans in relatively spaced non-rotatable relation.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, and wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,

Figure l is a side elevation, partly in section, of a pair of ice-cream cans or containers, showing the manner in which the improved clamp is associated therewith for holding the cans in relative non-rotatable relation.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the improved clamp.

Figure 3 is a sectional View taken transversely through the improved clamp.

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view showing the relation of the details of the clamp upon ice-cream cans.

In the drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown only a preferred elnbo'diment of the container, the letter A may generally designate the improved clamp, which is adapted to non-rotatably clamp standard hollow cylindrical cans B and C together.

The cans B and C are of conventional formation, being circular in cross section, and having inner smooth walls from the top edges thereof preferably to the bottom of the can. Adjacent the top edge 10 of the can, upon the external periphery thereof, and spaced from said top edge, each of the cans B and C is provided with an annular head 1l, of any approved cross section, which is normally provided to receive the cover or lid thereagainst, and to facilitate handling of the same. It is standard structure in practically all ice-cream cans of this type, adapted to contain ice-cream in the bulk, and to be used in soda fountains and cooler boxes from which dispensers scoop ice-cream to fill individual and other orders.

Referring to the improved clam A, the same includes an inverted U-shape bracket portion 20, which is preferably made of some sturdy metal that is not flexible or readily yieldable, but that rigidly holds it shape under all ordinary conditions of use. It preferably comprises flat can gripping portions 21 and 22, in substantial parallelism, connected attheir upper ends by a flat horizontal portion 23. It-inay be cast or bent to such shape, and it may be made of any approved material, preferably of a character which will not corrode, rust, or cause a chemical reaction to set up with the metal of the can or the contents thereof. It may be made of the same material as the best icecream cans are usually made, and this is important inasmuch as the leg portions 21 and 22 are disposed within the cans B and C, at the inner peripheries thereof, and there should be no discoloring or rendering the contents of the cans distasteful or poisonous. It is to be particularly noted from Figure 4 that the portions 2l and 22 are flat, and they have inner relatively sh arp corner edges 26 which may grip the inside arcuated surfaces of the can. to prevent rotation of the cans, in conjunction with means provided between the legs 2l and 22 to force the clamp portions 21 and 22 into such position with the can walls.

Spring means is provided in the bracket 20 between the portions 21 and 22 'thereof adapted to be urged against the external surfaces of the cans B and C to clamp the portions 21 and 22 secure at their edges 26 in the inner peripheries of the cans B and C to prevent rotation of either of the latter. A preferred type of spring is' shown, consisting of a body portion 30, preferably flat, and beneath the top portion 23 of the bracket 20, and riveted centrally thereto at 31. The body portion 33 has a pair of spaced depending spring arms 33 and 34 resiliently urged towards the portion 21, and at the opposite side of said body 30 has a pair of depending spring arms 35 and 36 resiliently urged toward the portion 22 of the bracket 20. The spring arms 33 to 36 inclusive are each of the same formation, preferably converging downwardly towards the respective bracket portions 21 and 22 with which they cooperate` and at their lower ends said spring arms are arcuately inturned towards their respective bracket portions 21 and 22, at 39, providing a concavity of a nature to grip beneath the beads 11 of the cans B or C, as the case may be. The eXtremeends 41 of the spring arms preferably depend below the lower edges 42 of the supporting bracket portions 21 and 22, to facilitate connection upon the can. The portions 41 of the spring arms cooperating with the bracket portion 21 are relatively convergent downwardly with respect to the portions 41 of the other pair of spring arms, and this likewise facilitates assemblage upon the which remains iexible and is resilient to a degree which will effectively clamp the portions 21 and 22 of the brackets within the cans. This material may be phosphor bronze; it being particularly noted that no portion of the spring means is within either of the cans, so that the same care in selection of materials is not necessary, as for the bracket 20. The entire clamp after assemblage in the relation described may be dipped in any approved coating material, or tinned to further protect it and add to its appearance.

The assemblage of theclamps upon the cans will be apparent from the foregoing. IVith the cans B and C placed side by side` the spring arms may readily b'e passed through the space between the external surfaces of the cans, and the bracket portions 21 and 22 slipped within the cans. Pressure upon the top of the clamp will then force the spring arms downwardly over the beads, until the beads 11 lie within the concavities 40, and under which circumstances, of course, the spring arms are flexed to normally clamp ,the edges 26 of the portions 21 and 22 into biting engagement with the inner surfaces of the cans B and C. The relation of each spring is such that its concavity 40 will t the bead when the top edge of the can abuts the undersurface of the top portion 23 of the body or bracket 20. Thus, the springs perform two functions. First, the said prongs or spring arms clamp the cans firmly to the leg portions 21 and 22 of the bracket, and second, the bendA in the lower end of the spring arms or prongs assists in drawing the clamps down tightly upon the tops of the cans, preventing the clamp from working upwardly due to any slight movement of the cans, such as occurs when the dispenser is dipping out ice-cream.

It will be understood from the foregoing that the clamp is one which will efficiently fulfill lthe purpose for which provided. It is relatively simple and economical to make, and has no adjustments, such as tightening the screws, which would render it cumbersome, more expensive, and prove an annoyance rather than a benefit. The top portion of the clamp is perfectly flat,rpermitting the same to be used within soda fountains, Where conservation of space is essential, and it will not interfere with hinges, lids, and like parts of soda fountain or cooler box constructions ordinarily thereabove.

Various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be made to the form of invention herein shown and described, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. In combination a pair of independently movable conventional cylindrical ice-cream cans, and a unitary detachable clamp device having means conforming to and holding the cans relatively non-rotatable.

2. In combina-tion with a pair of containers open at the tops thereof, a detachable clip for clamping the containers together, including portions fitting against the inside walls of the containers thru the open tops of the containers and a portion connecting said first mentioned portions, and means urging the portions within the containers against the inner walls of the containers.

3. In combination with a pair of ice-cream cans open at the tops thereof in conventional`Y formation entirely open at the tops thereof and having annular beads externally thereon adjacent said tops, and a clamp for holding the cans relatively non-rotatable 1ncluding an inverted U-shaped bracket body disposed over the adjacent sides of said cans with leg portions extending into the cans in abutment with the inner walls thereof, and spring means carried by said body in the space between said cans and normally engaging said beads and the external sides of the cans for urging the leg portions of the bracket into biting engagement with the inner surfaces of the cans.

5. In a cla-mp for holding ice-cream cans and like containers relatively immovable, the combination of a body portion provided with relatively connected portions adapted to extend within the open tops of the cans, and spring means between said portions normally engageable with the exterior of the cans to force the cans apart and said portions into engagement with the interior of cans.

6. As an article of manufacture a can clamp of the class described comprising an inverted U-shaped substantially rigid bracket including depending spaced legs and a connecting substantially flat portion, and spring means carried by the bracket between'said legs and normally urged toward each ofsaid legs.

7. As an article of manufacture a can clamp of the class described comprising an inverted U-shaped substantially rigid bracket including depending spaced legs and a connecting substantially flat portion, spring means carried by the bracket between said legs and normally urged toward each of said legs, said spring mea-ns having bead engaging portions thereon.

8. As an article of manufacture an icecream can clamp comprising a body adapted to straddle the tops of a plurality of icecream cans and having portions adapted to extend into the tops of the cans, and spring means carried by the body and normally urged toward said portions. 9. As an article of manufacture a clamp of the class described comprising a non-corrosive inverted substantially U-shaped body including depending leg portions and a connecting portion, and a spring carried by the connecting portion for each of said leg portions and depending along the leg portions and resiliently urged theretoward.

10. As an article of manufacture a clamp of the class described comprising a non-corrosive inverted substantially U-shaped body including depending leg portions and a connecting portion, a spring carried by the connecting portion for each of said leg portions and depending along the leg portions and resiliently urged theretoward, and in engagement at the lower ends thereof against the lower ends of the leg portions of the bracket body, the lower ends of the bracket having rib receiving concave sockets therein facing towards the respective adjacent legs.

11. As an article of manufacture, avcan clamp comprising :tbody including a portion having depending portions thereon in spaced relation adapted to fit within the open tops of containers and having sharpportions thereon adapted to bite against the inner walls of such containers, and spring means associated with each of said portions rcsiliently urged theretowards at the inner sides 'of said legs.

12. As an article of manufacture the combination of a non-corrosive can bracket attaching body having relatively connected spaced can engaging and gripping legs, and yieldable spring clamping means disposed between said legs and relatively urged theretowards.

13. An ice-cream can clamp comprisin an inverted non-corrosive U-shaped body aving depending legs and a connecting portion, and a spring carried by the connecting portion and including independently resilient spring arms urged towards the leg portions at each of the side edges of said leg portions 14. As an article of manufacture a rigid metallic non-corrosive clamp body of inverted U-shaped formation, and a spring device within said bod including portions urgeable towards the sides thereof.

15. As an article of manufacture an icecream can attaching bracket comprising an inverted substantially U-shaped bracket body including a top and depending spaced substantially flat portions, and a spring attached to the under surface of the top and including depending resilient ngers urgeable towards the inner surfaces of the said portions.

16. As an article of manufacture a clamp for preventing relative rotation of ice-cream cans comprising an inverted U-shaped bracket body including a fiat top and depending relatively spaced portions, and a plurality of resilient arms connected with the under-surface of the top and depending in spaced relation along the inner surfaces of said portions and normally urged theretowards at the lower ends of the same, said spring arms havingV the lower ends thereof concavely arcuated towards the portions to provide can bead engaging sockets.

17. In combination with a pair of icecream cans open at the tops thereof having external beads thereabout adjacent the top margins of the cans, a clamp portion straddling each of the portions of each of the cans at the adjacent facing sides of the cans, each clamp portion having a part engageable beneath the bead of its respective can for holding the clamp portion against relative movement upwardly alongr Cil the respective can, and a connection between said clamp portions holding the cans in definite close spaced relation.

18. In a clamp for holding a pair of con- 5 tainers together, the combination of a U- shaped member including relatively spaced portions, means connecting said portions together at similar ends thereof, and resilient means between said portions normally urged 10 in a clamping relation toward each of said portions.

` MILTON SELIG. 

